During surgical removal of cancer, why are lymph nodes removed?

• A. To improve cosmetic appearance
• B. To measure blood pressure
• C. To determine if cancer has entered the lymphatic system
• D. To accelerate healing of the incision

Answer: (C)

The main concept is that cancer can spread through the lymphatic system, so removing and examining nearby lymph nodes helps determine whether cancer cells have reached those nodes. Lymph nodes act as filters that trap cancer cells, and pathologists check them for metastasis. Finding cancer in the nodes helps stage the disease and guides treatment decisions, such as whether additional therapy (like chemotherapy, radiation, or more extensive surgery) is needed. In some cases, a sentinel lymph node biopsy is used to test the first few draining nodes; if those are free of cancer, more extensive node removal may be unnecessary. This is not about cosmetic appearance, measuring blood pressure, or speeding incision healing.